Difficulty:

Hard

Time Spent:

10 to 20 Hours

The Bottom Line:

"Almost, but not quite"

.First off all i have to emphasize a strong point that Max Payne 3 may not find its place among sandbox lovers because of its extreme linear gameplay and bunch of cutscenes.Max Payne games have always been linear and in the service of cutscenes and noir style so it may not find its way among new comers.I have played both two original max payne games and even do now with dozens of mods created for Max Payne 2 by fans.i adore this series for a decade and Remedy truly created a masterpiece with those dream sequences,excellent dialogue writing,noir style, and fantastic dark atmosphere and story telling. MAX PAYNE 3 differs from its preceedors by high degree.First of all its missing that"OLD FAMILIAR FEELING".i really missed those dream sequences and dark atmosphere from Max Payne 2.The story has been altered completely by shifting max to brazil(reason?).Max has left his job in NYPD and has become a Bodyguard for a aristocrat Branco family.Rockstar could have continued the story from the max payne 2 ending if they wanted to stay true to max payne roots.While the gameplay is solid and graphics are jaw dropping its JAMES MCAFFERY's performance that not only deserves a high standing ovation but its safe to conclude that MAX PAYNE 3 stands on his stand alone performance with seamless execution of dialogue delivery and bringing life to Max's character.The only familiar feeling for die hard max payne fans would clearly be Mcaffery's voice acting.

Gameplay(9/10)

Its one of the most solid third person shooter you are gonna play.Bullet time and Shootdodge are excellent just like in the previous games but SHOOTDODGE has really suffered this time and its more a hindrance than a help in higher difficulty modes.while the Single play campaign lasts 10-12 hours its the multiplayer that catches eye instantly and therefore insuring max payne keeps on delivering its charms for coming months.After you complete a campaign there are more higher difficulty levels to be unlocked having tons of replaybility.One thing which is worth pointing is the punishing difficulty level even in the medium difficulty controller doesnt serve good and youll die alot in campaign while AI is deadly accurate in shoot-outs.i'll be definitely buying it on PC soon for ease of shoot outs and accuracy with mouse and keyboard.

Sound(8/10)
Use of the original theme in Max Payne 3 was just brilliant while the soundtrack is fitting it really doesnt boost something really special R* is known for.Its the terrific voice acting we always know R* delivers and specially JAMES MCAFFERY gives one of his finest performance of all time

Story(8/10)

Its clearly a R* game and one doesnt expect anything other than awesome story line which it thankfully delivers but for die hard max payne fans this is completely a alteration.It misses those aspects we loved in the previous games.there are no dream sequences and the atmosphere from previous titles is missing.it really didnt feel like a max payne game at all.i am not saying story was bad.it was strong and new comers will love but it didnt bring that"OLD FAMILIAR FEELING".It is what Splinter Cell Conviction did to Splinter Cell series taking whole new direction and therefore killing the series for die hard fans.Fans wouldn't have mind some dream sequences of MONA SAX.i was really expecting these elements to be included in Max Payne 3 but felt a bit disappointed.If i were a new comer in max payne series then definitely i would have given game a perfect 10/10 in all categories(its that Good actually) but R* said before its release they are to stay true to max payne series but they didnt manage to justify completely.

VERDICT(7/10)
Max payne 3 delivers one of the finest 3rd person action shooter around with tons of replay value.If you like movie style games with strong story and linear gameplay,youll love this game to death however for die hard fans R* has just killed the series.Say bye bye to dream sequences and noir style created by REMEDY.R* HAS SURELY KILLED THE MOST ICONIC CHARACTER IN GAMING INDUSTERY ALAS..Overall a worthy sequel for a "new comer" to one of the Best Game Of All Time